Pears Are Ripe!

"Three Pears and Reflection", Pastel, 9 x 12 in

 

 

 

Here it is! Off the easel and ready to frame! I enjoyed the powerful color and seeing unexpected colors as I worked, especially in the areas where color reflected. The fruits were influenced by the background color and vice-versa, and the shadows had rich color as well.

Some Snow and Sketching

Alice Kelsey sketching at Shingletown Gap

 

 

I enjoyed hiking and sketching with a friend at Shingletown Gap this weekend. The light snowfall accented the woods colors, and the sounds of the stream were peaceful to be near. We sketched with pastels for as long as the cold air permitted, and I came back home feeling renewed, and with a field sketch and memories of the time and place which may lead to a studio work this winter. I'm so glad to live close to woods and streams and open places.

In the Works

Yeah! Color on the loose! I've been working on this still life of colorful pears today, luxuriating in the bright colors, and the warmth of the wood stove next to me! I'm hoping to put the finishing touches on tomorrow. The photo shows my portable pastel box, a basic set carefully chosen for a range of values and colors, ready to drop in a backpack and go anywhere to paint!

Time for Still Lives!

I'm in the mood for color as the great outdoors has turned to neutrals, and spent much time today setting up a still life in the studio. This 'set-up' process, of selecting items, and turning or moving them this way and that, and choosing lighting surprises me again and again in how much time and attention it takes. I don't know of any sure fire short-cut to finding a pleasing arrangement, so allow for trial and error to try things out until I feel an 'ah-ha!' about shapes, and 'oh, look at that!' about color, and then I'm ready to paint! I also cut and mounted paper today, so I'm all ready to start painting tomorrow morning. Can't wait to get at it!